Airship



April 28, 1931.

Original Filed Feb. 15, 1929 A. M. BALCH AIRSHIP 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Arvel MBaZch Aiiomeu A. M. BALCH April 28, 1931.

AIRSHIP Original Filed Feb. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invehtor Arvel M Buick Attorney A, M. BALCH April 28, 1931.

AIRSHIP Original Filed Feb. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 In ventor Fl WIL v jfrvel H. Bale/1 A tfofney A. M. BALCH April 28, 1931.

AIRSHYIP Original Filed Feb. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Arvei M Bale/1 Attorney Patented Apr. 28, 1931 UNITED STATES ARVEL M. BALCH, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AIRSHIP Application filed February 15, 1929, Serial no. 340,120. Renewed September 18, 1930.

The present' invention relates generally to aircraft and has for its prime object to combine the features of heavier than air and lighter than air craft. This object is carried out by an exceedingly simple construction which is strong and durable, and thoroughly efficient and reliable in use, maneuverability, stability and operation.

Another very important object of the invention resides in the provision of an aircraft of this nature wherein gas tanks or bags may be mounted along the sides thereofand along the top thereof in a compact and convenient manner to enhance the maneuverability and stability of the craft.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be here inafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the air craft embodying the features of this invention showing an intermediate portion broken away and in section,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on the line H of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a horizontal fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the gas tanks or bags, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section taken 4 substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the numeral 5 denotes a stream line fuselage having extending from the forward other suitable material such as duralumin for example. A'central passenger and storage compartment 16 is formed in the fuselage having side walls 17 to provide side spaces 18 in which are mounted gas containers 19 in the form of bags or tanks and separated from each other by suitable bracing work 20.

Each container 19 is provided with a check valve inlet 21 with ascrew plug closure 22 associated therewith. These containers may be readily filled with helium, hydrogen, or other like gas. In the top of the fuselage there is an upper compartment 25 in which is housed gas containers 26 and below this compartment 25 one to each side thereof are air passages 27 and to the sides of air passages 27 are other air passages 28 which merge together toward the tail as is indicated to advantage in Figure 5.

Suitable skeleton work 29 is provided to support the necessary partitions for forming these passages. Air escapes 30 are provided in the top of the'compartment 16 so that air may be sucked from this compartment and keep the same properly ventilated.

Below the compartments-16 and 18 is a compartment 31 braced by skeleton work 32 and this may be used as a'storage place for fuel -or for gas bags if sodesired. An engine 33 is mounted in front or at the nose of the fuselage for operating the propeller 34. A running gear 35 is provided below the front of the fuselage and a tail skid 36 is provided below the rear portion of the fuselage so that the air craft may land safely.

From the above detailed description it will be seen that I have devised aircraft embodying the features of lighter than air and the propeller to escape rearwardly and form a column of air through the fuselage with gas sustaining means above and below and to the sides ofthis column of air so gain great stability n storms and under other tryclaim as new is:

ing conditions. Furthermore it will be seen that I have devised an aircraft which will float on water.

7 Thus the air craft is adapted for long flights since it may land under most any conditions even though it should give out of fuel. It will also be seen that this aircraft is capable of proper maneuvering under the most trying of conditions in storms and the like."'

It is though that the construction, utility and advantages of this invention willnew be quite apparent tothose' skilled inthis' art without a more detailed description thereof,

The present embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in considerable .detail merely for the purposes of exemplification since in actua-lpractice it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above'desjc'ription, i

It will be apparent that changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventlon as heremafter cl imed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what '1. In an aircraft of the class described,

a fuselage, lighter than air lift means to' the sides of'th'efuselage, lighter than air lift means along the top of the fuselage, air passages among the lighter than air lift means and formed through the fuselage longitudinally, said fuselage being for-med with a passage compartment between the sides of the lighter than' air' lift means and below the air passages, and means communicating the top of the passage or compartment with the air passages to provide for proper circulation ofair. I I f -2. In an aircraft of the class described, a

fuselage, lighterthan air lift'means to the sides of the fuselage, lighter than airlift means along the top'of the fuselage, 111' passages among the lighter than air lift means and formed'through the fuselage longitudinally, s'aid fuselage being formed with a passage compartment betweenthe sides of-the lighterthan air lift means andbelow the air passages, and means communicating the-top of the passage of'co'mpartment withlthe air passagesto provide for'proper, circulation of air, said fuselage beingformed witha' closed compartment at the bottom thereof.

3. an air craft ofthe clafss described, a fuselage, lighter'than' ai'r lift means to the sides'of the fuselage, lighter than air lift *means along the top of the fuselage, air passagesamong the lighterthan'air-hft means and formed through the fuselage longitudinally, said'fuselagebeingformed with a passagecompartment between the sides of-the lighter than air lift means a d e ow h an passages, andmeans .communi cetingth ten ,means alongithe top ofthe fuselage, air passages alohg the lighter than air lift means formed through the fuselage longitudinally, said fuselage being formed with a passage compartment between the sides of the lighter than air lift means and below the air passages, and means communicating the top of'the passage or compartment with the air passage to provide for proper circulation of air, said fuselag'e being formed witha closed compartment at the bottom thereof,:

wings extending outwardly from forward portions of the air craft, allerons associated with the wings, wings extending outwardly from the sides to the rear portionsof the fuselage, ailerons associated with the rearr;

wings.

5. In an air craft of the classdescribed, a fuselage, lighter than air lift means to the sides of the fuselage,lighter than air lift means along the top of the fuselage, air pas-.

sages among the lighter than air lift means and formed through the fuselagelongitudi- .nally,c-saidfuselage being formed with apassage compartmentbetween the sides of the lighter than air lift means-and below the air passages, and means communicating the top of the passage or compartment with the air passages to provide for proper circulation of air, said'fuselagebeing formed with a closed compartment at the'bottom thereof, wingszx';

extending outwardly from forward portions of the air craft, ailerons associated with the wings, wings extending outwardly fromthe sides to the rear portions of the fuselage ailerons associated with the wings, aruglde mounted at the tail of the fuselage.

' 6. In anaircraftof the class described, afuselage, lighter than air lift means to the sides of the fuselage, lighter than airlift j n a ong he p'o e us a a pa sages among the lighter thanair lift means and formedthrough thefuselage longitudinally, said fuselage being formed with a passage compartment between the sides of the lighter than airlift means and-below the air passages, and means communicating the top of the passage or compartment with the air passages-to providefor proper circulation of the wings, wings extending outvvardly from the sidesto th rear portipns et -the use ag ailerons associated with the wings, a rudder mounted at the tail of the fuselage, said side lighter than air lift means including a plurality of tanks.

7. In an air craft of the class described, a fuselage, lighter than air lift means to the sides of the fuselage, lighter than air lift means along the top of the fuselage, air passages among the lighter than air lift means and formed through the fuselage longitudinally, said fuselage being formed with a passage compartment between the sides of the lighter than air lift means and below the air passages, and means communicating the top of the passage or compartment with the air v assa es to rovide for r0 er circulation of P c P air, said fuselage being formed with a closed compartment at the bottom thereof, wings extending outwardly from forward portions of the air craft, ailerons associated with the wings, wings extending outwardly from the sides to the rear portions of the fuselage, ailerons associated with the wings, a rudder mounted at the tail of the fuselage, said side lighter than air lift means including a plurality of tanks, each tank including a check valved inlet, and a screw threaded plug for closing the same.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ARVEL M. BALCH. 

